THE Yu-Gi-Oh! anime franchise is not strange dark and terrifying moments which sets it apart from other series. From the iconic Shadow Realm in the first season to the various world-ending events that the protagonists of subsequent shows have had to deal with, this beloved series can scare even the bravest viewers.
A recurring theme in these horrific moments is the use of magic or celestial forces that give them power, making their existence in real life impossible. However, one of the main characters in the GX anime, Zane Trusdale, understood how dangerous being a duelist can be, and his suffering has nothing to do with the supernatural.
Zane risked his life as an underground duelist
He was introduced to a cruel and dangerous new way of playing
In episode #57 of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime series, the best student in the entire Duel Academy and owner of the powerful Cyber ​​​​Dragons deck, Zane Trusdale, has joined the world of professional dueling. Despite his incredible skills as a player, his opponent, Aster Phoenix, humiliated him by winning in just a few turns. This loss hit Zane hard, making him wonder if he was worthy of becoming a pro. His spiraling thoughts led him to look for ways to improve, joining an illegal practice known as Underground Duel. In these horrible games, players are severely punished for every mistake.
Zane was forced to wear a collar and bracelets that would administer a high-voltage electric shock each time his vital points were reduced. Although his skills improved, becoming an underground duelist caused him terrible pain, so much so that his entire outlook on life changed. He went from being the controlled and respectful student he once was to a cruel and sadistic adversary. Worst of all, the constant shocks damaged his heart, teliminating his ability to walk while he was still in his early 20s.
The Underground Ring had nothing to do with ancient magic
This horrible practice was created by normal humans
Throughout the various seasons of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, fans were introduced to the many types of dark and evil magic that exist in this vast multiverse. While the Shadow Realm remains the most popular, for good reason, due to its horrific characteristics, there have been several other malevolent realms and creatures that have caused pain and suffering to heroes. Yet, the dangers and terrors of Zane’s story have nothing to do with the arcane. Underground dueling is a practice born of humans who wish to profit from the anguish of others.
The people who encouraged Zane to take up this practice promised him that he would gain fame and fortune while honing his skills for the professional circuit. Instead, he caused irreparable damage to his body and psyche, becoming an arrogant and aloof person who could hurt even his younger brother. As he did so, the rich people who would sponsor the underground network laughed and relished his suffering. Zane’s tragic story was not influenced by dark magic or evil spirits, he simply had the misfortune of encountering the worst that human nature had to offer.
Zane’s life was never the same after joining Underground Duel
He could have died at any point in the series
Although Zane’s story in Yu-Gi-Oh! Gx The anime didn’t end in tragedy, like the often forgotten Bonz, his actions caused him several health problems. During Season 3, in which most of the heroes were dragged into the Duel Monster Dimension by the enigmatic Yubel, Zane revealed that the shocks he received made his heart weaken. Any strong emotion can cause a heart attack and die instantly. However, his tortured mind still pressured him to find strong opponents who could give him the challenge he sought.
This insecure mentality almost caused his death during his duel against Yubel in episodes 147 and 148. Even though he knew he was facing the powerful villain of the season, he gave it his all, almost dying after losing the game. Although he survived, his heart became too weak to live a normal life, ending up with Zane being unable to duel or walk again. It was sad to see a promising duelist end up in such a state, knowing that his fate could have been avoided if he hadn’t found people willing to profit from his pain.
Zane Trusdale’s ending could be one of the most tragic in all of history Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. Knowing that this horrible event had nothing to do with the mystical forces that govern this universe makes it all even sadder. However, details like this help the series’ world feel alive, proving that the series can respectfully handle mature themes.